New Winnipeg Blue Bombers Stadium

New Winnipeg Blue Bombers Stadium
Location	University of Manitoba Chancellor-Matheson Road Winnipeg, Manitoba
Broke ground	May 20, 2010
Opened	June 2012 (projected)
Owner	Winnipeg Blue Bombers City of Winnipeg University of Manitoba[1]
Operator	Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Surface	Turf
Construction cost	$190 million
Architect	Raymond S.C Wan
Capacity	33,422[2] (40,000 with temporary seating) (football)
Executive Suites	46 [3]
Tenants
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) Manitoba Bisons (CIS)

New Winnipeg Blue Bombers Stadium is an approved football stadium planned for Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.^[4][5]

The stadium is being built on the grounds of the University of Manitoba campus at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Road and University Crescent next to the existing University Stadium.^[1] This facility will be the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League and the Manitoba Bisons. Capacity will be 33,422^[2] (partially covered) seats and the playing field will be covered in the winter, allowing year-round recreational use.^[6]

Financial details

As indicated in the references below, Asper's proposal involved both Federal and Provincial financial contributions ($40 Million each), as well as a transfer of assets (the publicly owned Blue Bomber franchise itself will be transferred into Asper's control, and the existing undeveloped commercial real estate surrounding the stadium). As part of Creswin's commitment to the project, Asper pledged to contribute $65 Million toward the Maroons Road development. In addition to stadium construction, the Asper proposal included 217,000 sq ft (20,200 m²) of retail development and a two level parking facility.

However, Asper and Creswin were removed from the deal as they made significant changes to the stadium design which broke the original contract agreement. The total will now come to $190 million with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers paying back $85 million and the provincial and city levels of government splitting the rest of the costs as proposed earlier.

Status

The stadium was approved on 2 April 2009. On March 31, 2010 it was announced by the three levels of government that the stadium will begin construction in May 2010 and should be completed in time for the 2012 CFL and CIS seasons. It will have a 33,422 seating capacity with expansion for over 40,000 seats for larger events such as the Grey Cup.^[2] The CFL has also stated that, with the new stadium, Winnipeg will be guaranteed to host a Grey Cup.^[7]

Site excavation began in September 2010 and construction on the lower bowl began in December of that year. As of March 26, 2011, the stadium continues to be on schedule for its opening for the 2012 CFL season.^[1]

Stadium options

Other developers have expressed interest in the commercial lands surrounding the stadium. The owners of Canad Inns, a Winnipeg based hotel business and current naming rights holder for the Blue Bomber's existing stadium, forwarded a plan to redevelop the entire site for commercial use and construct a football stadium for the Blue Bombers in another location. This proposal was rejected in favour of Asper's plan.^{[citation needed]}

The board of the football team itself has investigated the possibility of rebuilding or substantially upgrading the existing stadium, largely with funds generated from sale or lease of the adjacent commercial lands (The team holds the right to develop this property itself as part of its refinancing agreement with the City & Province). Being a community owned business, however, the Bombers organization would have difficulty in accessing the capital required to move forward with such plans directly. The board agreed to place such plans on hold pending the outcome of Asper's proposal.^{[citation needed]}

With the government unwilling to grant Asper the $40 million at both the provincial and federal level which they say is more of a gift then a grant. They have drawn up a second proposal, where the same 30,000-40,000-seat stadium would be built instead in south Point Douglas. This new plan, they say, would greatly aid in urban renewal in what is the poorest neighbourhood in Winnipeg. There are also a state-of-the-art water park & hotel, commercial buildings, and several other new buildings in the multimillion dollar proposal. However there is controversy here as well since south Point Douglas is an avid art community, many of the residents don't want their character buildings to be destroyed, or at the loss of their home. Even with poor road access in and out, and also parking being of concern.^[8]

On September 13, 2008, a letter of intent was signed between Asper's Creswin Properties and the University of Manitoba, allowing planning to continue for a stadium at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Drive and University Crescent. The site is adjacent to the current University Stadium, which was built for the 1967 Pan American Games. The new proposal includes the construction of a 30,000-seat stadium, renovation of the existing stadium, and a world-class fitness facility. Inflatable 'bubbles' covering the playing field will also be made available in both stadiums during the winter months. The new stadium would also be home of the University of Manitoba Bisons Football team. The design allows for expansion to 40,000 seats for the Grey Cup. On March 31, 2010 the province of Manitoba agreed to loan David Asper $90 million in order to guarantee that the project would put shovels into the ground in 2010 and ensure that the stadium would open for 2012.^[9]

Ground Breaking

Canadian Football League commissioner Mark Cohon, Premier Greg Selinger, David Asper, and Mayor Sam Katz and U of M President David Barnard officially broke ground at the site on May 20, 2010.^[10]

The stadium is expected to be ready for the 2012 CFL season.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id43587 Winnipeg football stadium to be ready for 2012 season
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Stadium+brings+cool+Winnipeg/5178085/story.html Stadium brings a new 'cool' to Winnipeg
3. ^ http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/the-jets----and-a--big-league-stadium-too-131439343.html The Jets -- and a big-league stadium too
4. ^ http://www.blueandgold.ca/
5. ^ http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=273524
6. ^ http://www.cfl.ca/article/bombers-accelerate-stadium-plan
7. ^ http://www.cfl.ca/article/bombers-accelerate-stadium-plan
8. ^ Gary Lawless (27 March 2010). "Selinger grabs ball on stadium". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/selinger-grabs-ball-on-stadium-89319412.html. Retrieved 2010-04-07. 
9. ^ Bartley Kives (31 March 2010). "Manitoba gives $90M loan for new Bombers stadium". National Post. http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2748771. Retrieved 2010-04-07. ^{[dead link]}
10. ^ Ed Tait (20 May 2010). "Sod turns on new stadium". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/sod-turns-on-new-stadium-94403949.html. Retrieved 2010-05-20. 

External links

• Official Site
• Proposal

Coordinates: 49°48′28″N 97°8′35″W / 49.80778°N 97.14306°W / 49.80778; -97.14306